The user This manual is designed for the use of geo-scientists with an interest and need in developing palaeobiological materials as a potential source of data. To meet this objective practical procedures have been formatted for use by both professional and semi professional students with an initial understanding of palaeo biological research aims as a primary source of scientific data. I have attempted to provide an explanation and understanding of practical procedures which may be required by students undertaking palaeobiological projects as part of a degree course. The layout of this manual should be particularly beneficial in the instruction and training of geotechnologists and museum preparators. Graduate students and scientists requiring an outline of a preparation procedure will also be able to use the manual as a reference from which to assess the suitability of a procedure. This manual is also intended for use by the "committed amateur". Many of the techniques described in this manual have been devised by non-palaeontologists, and developed from methods used in archaeology, zoology and botany, as well as other areas of geology. A considerable number of the methods can be undertaken by the amateur, and in the case of many of the field procedures, should be used. This will ensure that specimens and samples can be conserved in such a manner as to facilitate any later research, and not invalidate the results of subsequent geochemical analytical techniques which might be employed.

Acknowledgements. Foreword. I: Introduction. 1. Palaeontological Techniques - an introduction to practical procedures. 2. Record Keeping in the Laboratory. II: Field Techniques. 3. Field collecting procedures. 4. Collecting techniques for microfossil and live foraminifera samples. 5. Consolidation, stabilization and replication techniques. 6. Field staining techniques for determining calcite, dolomite and phosphate. 7. Field documentation, sample packing and transportation. III: Laboratory Techniques. A: Introduction. 8. Laboratory design and layout. 9. Safety in the laboratory. 10. Preservation, consolidation and repair of unstable specimens. 11. Preparation of recent material for comparative studies. B: Physical Procedures. 12. Mechanical methods for preparing fossil specimens. 13. Fossil extraction techniques by thermal disintegration. 14. Disaggregation and dispersal of partially consolidated and unconsolidated sediments. 15. Microfossil sample contamination and reliability problems. 16. Washing and sieving techniques used in micropalaeontology. 17. Centrifuge techniques used in micropalaeontology. 18. Mechanical separation of microfossil residues. 19. Flotation and liquid separation techniques. 20. Thin section and slide preparation techniques of macro and microfossil specimens. 21. Staining techniques used in micropalaeontology. 22. Preparation of carbonate stained acetate peels and thin sections. 23. Preparation of amber specimens containing fossils. 24. Preparation and conservation of vertebrate fossils. C: Chemical Procedures. 25. Extraction techniques for palaeobotanical and palynological material. 26. Extraction techniques for acid insoluble microfossils. 27. Extraction techniques for phosphatic fossils. 28. Extraction techniques for uncrushed graptolites. 29. Extraction techniques for calcareous microfossils from argillaceous sediments. 30. Extraction techniques for calcareous microfossils from carbonate sediments. 31. Extraction techniques for agglutinated foraminifera from calcareous sediments. 32. Specialist techniques used in the preparation of individual microfossil specimens. 33. Extraction techniques for calcareous nannofossils. D: Analytical Procedures. 34. Electron microscopy techniques. 35. X-radiography techniques. E. Exhibition of Fossil Material. 36. Fossil replication techniques. 37. Photomacrography and photomicrography techniques. 38. Illustrating and exhibiting for display and publication. References. Appendices. Indexes.